Eating disorders and substance abuse can be crafty and complex partners in crime. Research shows about half of people with eating disorders also abuse alcohol or other drugs. Over 35% of people with substance use disorders also engage in some form of disordered eating behavior. These patterns can take a few forms and may feed […]

People with anorexia have an obsessive desire to be thin that can lead to losing dangerous amounts of weight. Anorexia is an eating disorder that often begins around puberty, but it can begin at any age. People with this condition may have childhood trauma, emotional challenges or self-esteem issues that can make them vulnerable to developing anorexia, but it can also be related to hormones and genetics. Secrecy is […]

The exact cause of anorexia nervosa is not known. Most likely a mix of psychological, environmental and social factors come into play, as well as hormones that lead to symptoms of anorexia, but it has also been found to run in families.

“This is ridiculous. It’s not a problem. I only purge when I get really stressed. I have to have something….” That was Belinda on her first visit to my office. When she passed out at her best friend’s wedding from dehydration due to laxative abuse, her family insisted she see me. Belinda’s ex-husband was attending the wedding with his new girlfriend and Belinda was worried how she’d look in her dress.

Binge eating, food addiction, compulsive overeating — there are many terms used to describe the different compulsive eating disorders. These disorders, while different from the more widely known anorexia and bulimia, are among the most common eating disorders to affect Americans, with some estimates of approximately 4 million people meeting diagnostic criteria. How does this happen? Why do so many people develop compulsive eating disorders?

Eating disorders — anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other eating disorders — are often treated successfully. Eating disorder treatments, including medication, psychotherapy and holistic care at inpatient facilities, all tend to demonstrate some success, at least in the short term. But what about relapse? How common is it for people suffering from eating disorders to relapse after completing treatment?

Thinspiration is a term used to describe images and writings that promote extreme slenderness as a body ideal. These materials frequently appear on pro-ana websites that treat thinspiration as a cultural norm. Research indicates that the vast majority of these websites promote eating disorders by providing detailed information on how to begin, maintain and hide dangerously unhealthy eating behaviors.

An eating disorder is a condition that causes people to overeat or avoid food altogether because of a distorted body image. Examples of eating disorders include bulimia, anorexia and binge eating disorder. These illnesses are treatable, but without help from a physician or eating disorder therapist, eating disorders can lead to very serious health problems and may even be fatal. Because of the seriousness of these illnesses, medical professionals may recommend forced therapy for patients who don’t wish to recover from their eating disorders.

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The Ranch offers residential treatment for addictions and mental health disorders in Tennessee and Pennsylvania. Our experienced treatment teams draw on evidence-based and experiential therapies to create personalized treatment plans that help people transform their lives.

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